AI Coding Assistants
This page highlights AI coding assistants that are useful for teaching, experimentation, prototyping, software development, and evaluation of agentic coding workflows. Some are relevant primarily to students; others are part of the broader tool landscape used by developers and project teams.
The key distinction is whether the tool itself is free or whether the provider also includes free model usage.
Free plans, limits, supported models, and terms can change. A free editor or extension does not automatically mean that the underlying AI model is free. Verify current conditions with the provider before relying on a tool for a course or project.
Free and open-source tools
These tools have no software subscription fee. Depending on the setup, you may still need your own model API access or a local model.
Cline
Cline is an open-source coding agent available as a VS Code extension and CLI. It can read and edit files, run commands, and use MCP servers.
Cost: The Cline software is free for individual developers. AI inference is separate: you can bring your own API key or use Cline's inference service on a usage basis.
Free model promotions: Users with a Cline account may periodically receive access to selected models at no cost, up to a limited usage quota. These promotions rotate and are available for a limited time only, so the specific models and quotas can change. After the free quota is used, you can continue by switching to another available model, using your own API key, or using paid inference.
Best for: Agentic coding in VS Code with flexible model choice and MCP support.
OpenCode
OpenCode is an open-source coding agent for the terminal, desktop, and IDEs. It supports many model providers and can also use local models.
Cost: The OpenCode software is free and open source. Model access is separate. OpenCode sometimes offers free hosted models, but these can be temporary and should not be treated as a permanent quota.
Best for: Model-agnostic coding workflows in the terminal, desktop, or IDE.
Ongoing free service tiers
These providers currently offer a $0 tier or an education-based free entitlement without a fixed short trial period. Usage limits and included models can change.
GitHub Copilot Student
Verified students can use GitHub Copilot Student for free while their student status remains verified. It currently includes unlimited code completions and 200 AI Credits per month.
Best for: Students working with GitHub and Visual Studio Code.
JetBrains AI Free
Students with an active JetBrains educational IDE license can use JetBrains AI Free after the optional AI Pro trial. It currently includes unlimited code completion, unlimited use of your own local models, and 3 AI Credits per 30 days for cloud AI features.
Best for: Students using IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate, PyCharm Professional, or other JetBrains IDEs through the Student Pack.
Kiro Free
Kiro explicitly describes its Free tier as perpetual. The current plan includes 50 credits per month and access to selected open-weight models and Claude Sonnet 4.5, subject to rate limits.
Best for: Trying an agentic development environment with a clearly defined ongoing free allowance.
Cursor Hobby
Cursor currently offers a Hobby plan for $0 with no credit card required. It includes limited Agent usage plus Chat and Tab completions using the Auto model.
Best for: Evaluating an AI-focused code editor with a free entry tier.
Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf)
Devin Desktop is the current name of the Windsurf editor. Its current Free plan is $0, and the provider currently advertises unlimited access to its SWE-1.7 model on the free tier.
Best for: Evaluating an AI-first editor and agent workflow without starting with a paid plan.
Choosing a tool
Cline
Free / open source
Limited-time rotating free-model promotions; otherwise BYOK or paid inference
VS Code + agents + MCP
OpenCode
Free / open source
Bring your own or local model; temporary free hosted models may exist
Terminal, desktop, IDE
Copilot Student
Free for verified students
200 AI Credits/month + unlimited completions
GitHub + VS Code
JetBrains AI Free
Free with eligible IDE license
3 AI Credits/30 days + unlimited code completion and local models
JetBrains IDEs
Kiro Free
$0 perpetual tier
50 credits/month
Agentic development environment
Cursor Hobby
$0 current tier
Limited included usage
AI-first editor
Devin Desktop Free
$0 current tier
Current free SWE-1.7 access
AI-first editor and agents